Chief Indian selector Ajit Agarkar and Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir support Suryakumar Yadav for the vacant T20I captaincy, while former India pacer Ashish Nehra has expressed sympathy for ex-vice-captain Hardik Pandya.
According to Agarkar, Hardik lost the T20I captaincy to Suryakumar due to concerns about his availability. Ashish Nehra speaks on how Gautam Gambhir and Hardik Pandya relationship can account to loss of captaincy position for the latter.
Nehra explains Hardik Pandya’s captaincy snub
Hardik Pandya’s frequent injuries allowed Suryakumar Yadav to replace Rohit Sharma as T20I captain for the Sri Lanka series, Gambhir’s first as head coach. Ex-cricketer Ashish Nehra explained Suryakumar’s promotion over Hardik.
“Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir said a couple of days ago, if I am not mistaken talked about fitness. He is not playing all formats, I mean, he is playing only one format, he doesn’t even play the 50-over format that much. So it is difficult for Hardik Pandya or any coach or captain. I will just say that the thoughts are different,” Nehra told Sports Tak.
Pandya will only feature in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Shubman is named India’s vice-captain for the One Day International (ODI) and T20I series against the island nation.
“It’s not surprising that when it comes to cricket, these things happen. It’s a bit surprising that Hardik Pandya, as you said, he was the vice-captain in the World Cup. But at the same time, a new coach has come. A new thought has come. So every coach, each captain has a different thought. So at this time, their thought is on that side,” Nehra added.
Team India prepares for the Sri Lanka series in the net
In their first practice session with new head coach Gautam Gambhir, the Indian cricket team, particularly T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, were in high spirits. The tour will start with the T20Is on July 27, followed by the ODIs beginning on August 2.
The Indian cricketers had a nearly three-hour practice session, with all players taking turns at the nets. Afterward, they gradually boarded the team bus, an event captured by the YouTube channel Sports Fact Real.
Interestingly, coach Gautam Gambhir took the front seat on the right aisle with Hardik Pandya across from him on the left. Both the veterans appeared in high spirits and shared a laugh, indicating a positive team atmosphere. Abhishek Nayar sat directly behind Gambhir, while Suryakumar Yadav seemed to have chosen a seat towards the back of the bus, although his exact position wasn’t visible in the video.
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